Overpass planned for Route 38 crossing in West Chicago

Officials announced $26 million project that will direct Route 38 over railroad tracks

October 10, 2012|By Clifford Ward, Special to the Tribune

Route 38 in West Chicago will see an overpass built to take traffic over the railroad tracks near Roosevelt and Kautz roads. (John Kringas, Chicago Tribune)

On the list of life's small annoyances, west suburban motorists may soon be able to cross off "waiting at the crossing on Roosevelt Road in West Chicago."

State and local officials last week announced a $26 million project to build an overpass that will direct the roadway, also designated as Illinois Route 38, over the railroad tracks, which currently cross the road just east of the intersection at Roosevelt Road and Kautz Road.

The crossing sees more than 21,000 vehicles passing through each day — and often waiting for the 125 freight and commuter trains.

The frequent delays are a recipe for a headache, said the mayor of Geneva, which lies just west of the intersection.

"If I were a pressure pill salesman, that's where I'd hang my shingle," Mayor Kevin Burns said Oct. 4. "You could retire by age 30."

Acting West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda, a lifelong resident of his village, said the crossing has been a topic of local conversation, and consternation, for decades.

"If I could add up all the hours I've spent there waiting for trains, it would be unbelievable," he said.

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program — CREATE — has added up the hours. About 3,800 vehicles are delayed daily at the crossing, adding up to about 18,900 annual hours of motorist delay, according to CREATE, a partnership of Chicago, state and federal transportation agencies and passenger and freight rail carriers which had identified the intersection as needing improvement.

In addition to motorists, the tracks cross the road at a skewed angle, creating a safety hazard, CREATE said.

Construction is expected to begin in November and be complete in 2014. The new Roosevelt Road will be realigned just south of the existing roadway at a point east of the Kautz Road intersection. The new bridge structure will feature a T intersection with Kautz Road.

Money from the project is coming from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital project spearheaded by Gov. Pat Quinn, who came to West Chicago this week to formally announce the overpass.

State officials say the overpass is the 1,000 bridge-related project funded by the program. The local project is expected to create about 340 jobs, state officials said.

Pineda said he thinks the new crossing will spur economic development along Roosevelt Road. The traffic back ups have been a disincentive for potential new business, he said.

"Once it happens, it's really going to open up a lot of possibilities for us," Pineda said.

Burns is looking forward to the new perspective the bridge will provide.